[CalBike Report] California Bicycle Coalition's June CalBike Report

Mon Jun 4 17:49:59 PDT 2007

CALIFORNIA BICYCLE COALITION

CalBike Report, June 4, 2007

The CalBike Report is a monthly update on CBC’s advocacy and education work.

Topics covered in this edition:

Delegates Pedaled Complete Streets Legislation

Register Now for the Walk Bike California 2007 Conference

CBC Bends Caltrans’ Ear

Bicycle Advocacy Receiving Recognition

Advocacy News from Around the State

Statewide Bicycle Education Course Calendar

Delegates Pedaled Complete Streets Legislation.  CBC’s Pedal Power Lobbying
Day 2007 was a success.  Cyclists from around the state sharpened their
advocacy skills and demonstrated to legislators that bicycle advocates will
mobilize in support of Complete Streets legislation.

Advocates joined the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates in kicking off Bike
Month via a noontime press conference and group bike ride around Sacramento.
Assemblymember Mark Leno, sponsor of CBC’s AB 1358 Complete Streets Act,
spoke in support of bicycling at the press conference.  

The Pedal Power advocacy training taught to participants strategies for
effectively communicating with their legislators and achieving air quality
through transportation policy, and engaged in an in-depth discussion of
CBC’s legislative package.  Assemblymember Cameron Smyth, a member of Pedro
Nava’s staff, and Kathryn Phillips, Environmental Defense shared their
insights with the delegation.

Advocates and legislative staffers enjoyed wine and cheese while mingling at
Ambrosia Café.  Attendees browsed and test rode an array of commuter bikes
provided by Mike’s Bikes and the Bicycle Chef, two local retailers.

Armed with an array of arguments and fact sheets, Pedal Power delegates
urged forty-five state legislators to support CBC’s legislative package.
These Assemblymembers and Senators’ districts encompassed the north and
central coast, San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, Sierra foothills and Lake
Tahoe, Los Angeles and San Diego.

Special thanks to Pedal Power sponsors: Bikes Belong, Specialized, Jax
Bicycle Centers and WTB for their financial support of this important event.

Register Now for the Walk Bike California 2007 Conference.  Join a diverse
array of transportation professionals, advocates and elected officials at
the Walk Bike California 2007 <http://www.walkbikecalifornia.org/>
Conference in Davis, CA on September 11-14, 2007.  This conference will
result in the development of strategies for building livable communities
that recognize bicycling and walking as effective modes of transportation.
A preliminary schedule of workshops and speakers has been released.
Register online or through the postal service.

CBC Bends Caltrans’ Ear.  KC Butler, CBC Executive Director, addressed a
captive audience at the May meeting of Will Kempton, Caltrans Director, and
his team of District Directors.  Butler urged the Directors to require its
planners and engineers to adhere to a revised version of Deputy Directive 64
that reflects Complete Streets language.  Additionally, Butler requested
that Caltrans planners complete a League of American Bicyclists’ bicycle
roadway safety course to aid in their understanding of cyclists’ experience
riding on roadways designed without accommodations.

Bicycle Advocacy Receiving Recognition.  KC Butler received a declaration
from the California State Assembly as well as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
on May 17, Sacramento’s Bike to Work Day.  Ten legislators spoke in support
of Complete Streets principles during the ceremony.

Advocacy News from Around the State

The City of Huntington Beach has removed three "Bikes Must Use Sidewalk"
signs after the Orange County Bicycle Coalition
<http://www.ocbikecoalition.org/>  threatened to sue the City over the
matter.  The signs were located on southbound Bolsa Chica at Bolsa and on
northbound and southbound Goldenwest at Golden West College.  The assistance
of Attorney Rock Kendall, bicyclist Richard Kaiser and a helpful friend in
Huntington Beach city government, who hasn't given me permission to make
his/her name public, contributed to OCBC's success. Don Harvey
<mailto:harveydonw at juno.com> , Executive Director, OCBC 

The <http://www.tahoebike.org/>  Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition (LTBC)
successfully produced its first Lake Tahoe Bicycle Symposium in conjunction
with the Nevada Department of Transportation's Bike/Ped Conference.  The
LTBC is seeking presenters for its 2008 event to speak on Bicycling's
Economic Impact on Communities. 

Two LTBC members urged Senators and Assembly members to support Complete
Streets legislation as part of CBC’s Pedal Power Lobby Day 2007 delegation.

The LTBC collaborated with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency to promote
amongst the region's agencies and businesses participation in the Bike to
Work Challenge.  The 300+ participants have bicycled over 7,000 miles during
May.  The results of the Challenge are forthcoming.

Forty thousand copies of the first Lake Tahoe Bike Trail Map will be
distributed at the region’s retailers, resorts, lodges, chambers of commerce
offices, and other high traffic areas beginning in June.  Both print and
online copies of the maps are available to the public free of charge.

The LTBC is collaborating with Bikethewest.com to promote two major bike
rides in Lake Tahoe: America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride (AMBBR), June 3, and
the Tour de Tahoe, September 9.  The AMBBR ride raises over $8 million
dollars through the Team in Training Program and has teams from 63 American
cities.  Between 10,000-15,000 cyclists, families and friends participate in
these rides.  Ty Polastri <mailto:bikelaketahoe at aol.com> , Executive
Director, LTBC

Marin County’s seventeen energizer stations counted 3,000 cyclists during
its Bike to Work Day 2007 event; the number of participating cyclists
increased from 1,700 in 2006.  Three Marin County Supervisors: Steve Kinsey,
Susan Adams and Charles McGlashan were seen riding on Bike to Work Day this
year.  Marin County bicyclists were represented on thirteen of the teams
participating in the Team Bike Challenge.  Kerri Kazala was selected as the
Marin Bike Commuter of the Year for her daily 50-mile commute between Mill
Valley and Daly City.  Jo <mailto:joann at marinbike.org>  Ann Richards,
Membership and Outreach Coordinator, Marin County Bicycle Coalition
<http://www.marinbike.org/Index.shtml> 

One hundred people, including a Santa Barbara County Supervisor and most of
the Santa Barbara City Council, attended the May 1 ribbon cutting ceremony
for the County's first Bikestation.  The facility provides members with
secure bike parking, lockers, restrooms and a shower room.  A shared-use
bicycle program that features non-motorized bicycles, electric bicycles and
scooters will be available to members in the near future.  Ralph Fertig
<mailto:sb-ralph at cox.net> , Executive Director, Santa Barbara Bicycle
Coalition <http://www.sbbike.org/>  

The Bay Area Bicycle Coalition <http://www.bayareabikes.org/>  (BABC) just
completed the implementation of Bike to Work Day 2007.  Bike commuters had
access to 191 energizer stations where they could choose between a
traditional musette bag or one of our newly designed tote bags.  Over 150
Bay Area elected officials rode their bikes to work including Santa Clara
County’s own, Commissioner Ken Yeager.  Likewise, Ken participated in the
popular Team Bike Challenge which serves to recruit new cyclists and
“Weekend Warriors” to try bicycling for transportation purposes.  The Team
Bike Challenge has seen success for a second year in a row, doubling the
amount of teams from last year to over 235 teams this year.

Sabrina Merlo, the BABC’s new Advocacy Director, has been taking a lead role
in revising the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC) Regional
Transportation Plan as a member of the MTC’s Regional Bicycle Working Group.
The Plan allots $120 million+ for transportation projects that will be
implemented during the next 25 years.  The BABC, California Walks and the
Transportation Land Use Coalition are working together to advocate for the
funding of bicycle and pedestrian programs.  Cole Portocarrero
<mailto:cole at bayareabikes.org> , Executive Director, BABC 

The Palm Springs CBS affiliate interviewed and broadcasted three times an
interview with Steven Sims <mailto:Steven.ls at verizon.net> , Go Bike, about
bicycle transportation.  Sims was
also quoted in USA Today’s Friday, May 18 edition regarding gas prices and
the relevancy of alternative transportation.

Statewide Bicycle Education Course Calendar. As a means to encourage
cyclists to participate in bicycle education courses, CBC will now maintain
a calendar of bicycle roadway safety and bicycle maintenance courses offered
throughout the state.  Submit your course name, date, location, time, and
website/email to KC Butler <mailto:kcbutler at calbike.org>  for inclusion in
schedule. 

June 2007 

June 3: Kids II- Middle School Bike <http://bikeclass.swent.net/Classes.htm>
Skills, Palo Alto.  Sunday, 1:00-5:00PM

June 10: Ride and Learn <http://www.sdcbc.org/BFLCalendar.htm> , San Diego.
Saturday, 9:15AM

June 12, 19, & 23:  <http://slobikelane.org/bikeed/classes.html> Art of
Cycling, San Luis Obispo.  Tuesdays June 12 and 19, 6:00-9:00PM, Saturday,
June 23, 8:30AM-12:30PM

June 13, 19, & 27: Road <mailto:bikingroseville at yahoo.com>  I/Vehicular
Cycling, Roseville.  Wednesdays. PM

June 16: Day Two Bike Ed <https://www.sfbike.org/?edu>  On Road Course,
Alameda.  Saturday, 10:00AM-4:00PM

June 21: Day One Street Skills <https://www.sfbike.org/?edu>  In-Class
Course, San Francisco.  Thursday, 5:30 PM-9:30 PM

July 2007

July 8: Ride and Learn <http://www.sdcbc.org/BFLCalendar.htm> , San Diego.
Saturday, 9:15AM

July 10, 17, & 21:  <http://slobikelane.org/bikeed/classes.html> Art of
Cycling, San Luis Obispo.  Tuesdays July 10 and 17, 6:00-9:00PM, and
Saturday, July 21, 8:30AM-12:30PM

July 21 & 28: Road <mailto:bikingroseville at yahoo.com>  I/Vehicular Cycling,
Roseville.  Saturdays.

July 28: Day Two Bike Ed On Road <https://www.sfbike.org/?edu>  Course, San
Francisco.  Saturday, 10:00AM-4:00PM

August 2007

August 7, 14 & 21: Road I/Vehicular Cycling
<mailto:bikingroseville at yahoo.com> , Roseville.  Tuesdays, PM

August 16: Day One Street Skills <https://www.sfbike.org/?edu>  In-Class
Course, San Francisco.  Thursday, 5:30PM-9:30PM

September 2007

September 15: Day One Street <https://www.sfbike.org/?edu>  Skills In-Class
Course, San Francisco.  Saturday, 10:00AM-2:00PM

September 15 & 22: Road <mailto:bikingroseville at yahoo.com>  I/Vehicular
Cycling, Roseville.  Saturdays.

September 22: Street <http://slobikelane.org/bikeed/classes.html>  Skills,
San Luis Obispo.  Saturday, morning hours.

September 29: Day Two Bike Ed <https://www.sfbike.org/?edu>  On-Road Course,
San Francisco.  Saturday, 10:00AM-4:00PM

October 2007

October 27: Day One Street Skills <https://www.sfbike.org/?edu>  In-Class
Course, San Francisco.  Sunday, 11:00-3:00PM

November 2007

November 6, 13, & 17: Art of Cycling (Road I)
<http://slobikelane.org/bikeed/classes.html> , San Luis Obispo.  Tuesdays
November 6 & 13, 6:00-9:00PM, and Saturday, November 17, 8:30AM-12:00PM

November 17: Day Two Bike Ed <https://www.sfbike.org/?edu>  On-Road Course,
San Francisco.  Saturday, 10:00AM-4:00PM

December 2007

December 08: Day One Street <https://www.sfbike.org/?edu>  Skills In-Class
Course, San Francisco.  Saturday, 10:00AM-2:00PM 

--------------------

Invest in CBC for safer cycling in California.  We rely on your generous
donations in order to promote bicyclists’ interests in Sacramento.  Pledge
your support today by donating online at www.calbike.org
<http://www.calbike.org/> , or contacting KC at kcbutler at calbike.org or
(916) 446-7558.

You are now able to self manage your subscription
<http://lists.calbike-talk.org/listinfo.cgi/calbikereport-calbike-talk.org>
status to the CalBike Report/Legislative Alert listserve.  If you have
received multiple copies of this Report, send an email to
kcbutler at calbike.org titled, “multiple copies calbike”.

------------------

Rebecca Markussen

Visionary Professional Services

916-709-6415

progress at visproservices.com

visproservices.com (live July 1)

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.calbike-talk.org/pipermail/calbikereport-calbike-talk.org/attachments/20070604/41152b89/attachment-0001.htm 